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How do I manually block a number on WhatsApp?

WhatsApp has become one of the most popular messaging apps, with over 2 billion users worldwide. With so many people using WhatsApp, you may eventually need to block someone who is bothering you or spamming you. Luckily, WhatsApp makes it easy to block users so you no longer receive their messages or calls.

Why would you want to block someone on WhatsApp?

There are a few common reasons you may want to block a number or contact on WhatsApp:

  • The person is sending you unwanted or abusive messages
  • Someone you don’t know is messaging you constantly
  • An ex-partner is harassing you or won’t stop messaging
  • The contact is sending spam messages
  • A business is spamming you with promotional content
  • You want to cut off contact with someone completely

Blocking a number prevents that person from seeing when you were last online, your profile photo, your status updates, and any other account activity. It severs contact in both directions, so you won’t get their messages and they won’t get yours.

How to manually block a number on Android

If you have an Android phone, here are the steps to block a number or contact:

  1. Open the WhatsApp app on your Android device
  2. Go to your Chats tab
  3. Tap and hold the chat with the contact you want to block
  4. Tap More > Block contact

You will no longer receive any messages or calls from that number. The contact will still be in your Chats tab, but archived with a Blocked label.

Block during a call

You can also block a number while on a call with them:

  1. Swipe up from the bottom to access in-call options
  2. Tap the Block button to immediately end the call and block the user

How to manually block on iPhone

To block a contact on your iPhone:

  1. Open WhatsApp and go to the Chats tab
  2. Swipe the chat left to access more options
  3. Tap More
  4. Select Block Contact

This will block the contact from messaging or calling you. Their chat will still be in your list but unable to send or receive messages.

Block during a call on iPhone

Follow these steps to block during an active call on iPhone:

  1. While on the call, tap Add Call
  2. Tap Block Contact at the bottom
  3. Confirm you want to block the user

Unblocking a contact

If you change your mind later on, you can unblock contacts you previously blocked in WhatsApp.

On Android:

  1. Go to Settings > Account > Privacy
  2. Tap Blocked contacts
  3. Tap the X icon next to the contact you want to unblock

On iPhone:

  1. Go to Settings > Account > Privacy
  2. Tap Blocked
  3. Swipe left on the contact and tap Unblock

This will remove the block so you can start receiving messages and calls from that contact again.

Other blocking options

In addition to blocking individual contacts, WhatsApp has a few other blocking features you can use:

Block unknown senders

This automatically blocks any numbers not in your contacts from messaging or calling you. To enable it:

  • Android: Settings > Account > Privacy > Block unknown contacts
  • iPhone: Settings > Account > Privacy > Block Unknown Contacts

Report spam

If someone is spamming you, you can report their messages as spam. This sends the most recent messages to WhatsApp:

  • Android: Tap and hold chat > More > Report spam
  • iPhone: Swipe left on chat > Report spam

Block Groups

You can block entire groups so you don’t receive any messages from the group members.

  • Android: Long press group > More > Block group
  • iPhone: Swipe left on group > More > Block Group

Does the blocked contact know?

When you block someone on WhatsApp, the app does not directly notify them that they were blocked. However, it usually becomes obvious to the user if you suddenly stop responding to their messages.

There are a few changes that may tip off a blocked contact:

  • Messages remain unread and marked with just one check (sent but not delivered)
  • They see you come online but you don’t respond
  • Calls go directly to voicemail or are disconnected
  • Your profile photo vanishes
  • Any messages sent to you say “delivered” but show only one check mark

So while WhatsApp doesn’t directly tell a blocked user their status, if they try to communicate with you they’ll figure it out based on the delivery failures and lack of response.

Can a blocked contact message me on WhatsApp?

No, when you block someone on WhatsApp it prevents them from messaging you entirely. Their messages will not go through.

They may still see one check mark if they try to send you a message, indicating it was “delivered” to the WhatsApp server. However, they will not see the second check mark that indicates you actually received it, because blocked messages are not actually delivered to your device.

Can I see messages from a blocked contact?

No, when you block someone you will not see any messages, calls, status updates or any other activity from that contact. It completely mutes both sides of communication.

Their past messages will still be visible in your chat history unless you clear them, but you will not get any new messages after blocking them.

Does blocking delete chat history?

No, blocking a contact does not automatically erase or delete your chat history with them. You can still go back and view past messages in the chat.

If you want to delete the chat history altogether, go to their chat, tap More > Clear chat history. This will erase all messages, photos, videos etc. from both sides of the chat.

Can a blocked contact see my WhatsApp status?

No. Blocking someone prevents them from viewing your status updates, profile photo, when you were last online, voice messages, and anything else on your account.

It blocks access in both directions, so you won’t see their status updates either. Each user will appear totally inaccessible to the other.

Can I get messages from a blocked contact?

You cannot retrieve messages from a blocked contact unless you unblock them. Blocking severs communication in both directions, so any messages they send while blocked will not be delivered.

If you unblock the contact, you may then see more recent messages from them that were sent after they were blocked. But there is no way to retrieve messages from when they were blocked.

Can a blocked contact call me?

No, blocked contacts cannot call you on WhatsApp. Blocking prevents them from sending messages, making voice/video calls, or otherwise contacting you.

Incoming calls will disconnect immediately or send directly to voicemail. If you try to place a call to a blocked contact, it will fail to connect.

Can I block someone without them knowing?

There is no way to truly block someone on WhatsApp without the other user eventually realizing it. As mentioned earlier, typical signs they may notice include:

  • You suddenly stop responding to their messages
  • Their messages remain marked as delivered but never show “read”
  • Your profile photo vanishes
  • Calls go directly to voicemail or are disconnected

While WhatsApp doesn’t directly notify them, these types of delivery failures will likely signal to the blocked user that you have blocked them.

Can a blocked contact send media?

No, a blocked contact cannot send any media files like photos, videos, documents, voice messages, etc. Blocking prevents delivery of any messages, media, calls or contact in either direction.

Can I get blocked messages back if I unblock the contact?

Unfortunately any messages sent while blocked are not retrievable, even if you unblock the contact later on. Blocking severs all communication in both directions.

If you unblock them, you may start receiving new messages moving forward. But there is no way to retrieve their messages from the time period when they were blocked.

What happens when you block someone on WhatsApp?

Here’s a quick summary of what happens when you block a contact on WhatsApp:

  • You will stop receiving any messages, calls, status updates, or other activity from that contact
  • Your profile photo and status will disappear from their view
  • You will stop seeing any updates or activity from them
  • Any messages they send will show as “delivered” but not “read”
  • Calls will disconnect or go directly to voicemail
  • Chat history is not deleted, but you won’t see new messages
  • You can still unblock them later if needed

In essence, blocking prevents either user from communicating with or viewing updates from each other until one person unblocks the other.

Can I block someone without blocking their calls?

There is no way to block just messages while still allowing calls on WhatsApp. The app does not allow selectively blocking only certain communication types.

Blocking a contact blocks messages, calls, status updates, media, and all other interactions. The only way to block messages but allow calls would be to block them in your smartphone’s contacts app directly, rather than using WhatsApp’s blocking feature.

Can a blocked contact see when I’m online?

No, a blocked contact cannot see your online, last seen, profile photo or any other activity. This information is hidden from blocked contacts.

You similarly won’t be able to see their online status or last seen either. Blocking hides all account details in both directions.

Can I block someone temporarily?

There is no official way to temporarily block someone, since WhatsApp only allows permanently blocking or unblocking contacts.

However, you could unblock a contact after a certain time period to achieve a temporary block effect. For example, block someone for a week, then unblock them later.

Alternatively, you can mute a chat to hide notifications for a custom time period, without completely blocking.

What happens when you block someone on WhatsApp business?

Blocking a contact works the same way in WhatsApp Business as regular WhatsApp. Blocking prevents you from receiving messages, calls, status updates, or any other activity from that contact.

The main difference is that in WhatsApp Business, blocking someone does not automatically remove your business profile information or prevent them from seeing your business name, category, etc. They simply won’t see your status updates or be able to message you.

Can someone on WhatsApp message me if I block them on my phone?

If you block someone’s phone number directly in your Android or iPhone contacts, they will still be able to message or call you over WhatsApp.

Blocking a number on your smartphone only blocks traditional calls and messaging through your carrier. It does not prevent them from contacting you on internet-based apps like WhatsApp.

To block someone fully on WhatsApp, you need to use the block feature in the WhatsApp app itself, not just your phone’s contacts.

Conclusion

Blocking contacts is an easy way to stop unwanted messaging or harassment and take control over your WhatsApp experience. Now that you know how to manually block in just a few taps, you can quickly remove abusive or spam senders.

In summary:

  • Open the chat, tap More > Block on Android or swipe left to block on iPhone
  • Blocked contacts can’t message you or see your updates
  • You can unblock them later if needed
  • Always report spam so WhatsApp can take action too
  • Use block cautiously – only for serious harassment/abuse issues

Blocking cuts off contact in both directions, so the other user will likely notice if you block them. But it may be necessary in cases of relentless spam, harassment, or other issues. Now go take control of your WhatsApp experience!